Class 18.3 Steam Locomotive

The “Schorsch” – a Unique One-of-a-Kind of the German State Railroad (DR).

The German State Railroad (DR) of the GDR steam locomotive, road number 18 314, called subsequently the “Schorsch”, had an unusual, even exceptional life story. Placed into service in 1919 as a Baden class “IV h” “High Stepper” it was acquired by the DRG as road number 18 314. After the end of World War II, it was swapped for a class S 3/6 in the Soviet Zone, where the later VES-M Halle urgently needed a fast four-cylinder compound steam locomotive for experimental runs. It was equipped in 1960 for faster running with a reconstruction boiler, partial streamlining, a new cab, and tender as well a green paint scheme. The final touch was its conversion to oil firing in 1967. At the end of 1971 it was put into storage and in 1984 it was sold to West Germany. Since 1986 it has been on permanent loan from the HEF as one of the highlights in the Sinsheim Automobile and Technology Museum.

Prototype

German State Railroad of the GDR (DR/GDR) express steam locomotive, road number 18 314, with oil firing and a type 2´2´T34 oil tender. Conversion version as the experimental locomotive of the VES-M Halle (Saale). Version with a rebuilt boiler and partial streamlining, based on the steam locomotive, road number 18 314 (former Baden class IV h). Witte smoke deflectors and inductive magnet on one side. The locomotive looks as it did around 1968.

Highlights

• Especially intricate metal construction.
• A multitude of separately applied details.
• Factory-installed smoke unit with speed-dependent dynamic smoke exhaust.
• Cab lighting and running gear lights are digitally controlled.
• RailCom DCC/mfx digital decoder with extensive operation and sound functions.
• Buffer capacitor included for bridging over short areas without current.

Model

The locomotive has a digital decoder and extensive sound functions. It also controlled high-efficiency propulsion with a flywheel, mounted in the boiler. 3 axles powered. Traction tires. The locomotive and tender are constructed mostly of metal. There is a factory-installed smoke unit, speed-dependent dynamic smoke exhaust. The triple headlights change over with the direction of travel, will work in conventional operation, and can be controlled digitally. There are also two digitally controlled red lamps at the front of the locomotive. The cab lighting and the running gear lights can be controlled separately in digital operation. Maintenance-free warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. There is a buffer capacitor. There is a close coupling with a guide mechanism between the locomotive and the tender. There is a close coupler with a guide mechanism and an NEM pocket on the tender. The minimum radius for operation is 360 mm / 14-3/16″. Streamlining without a wheel cutout for installation beneath the cab is included for large radius curves or a display case. Piston rod protective sleeves and brake hoses are also included.
Length over the buffers 27.2 cm / 10-11/16″.

This model can be found in an AC version in the Märklin H0 assortment under item number 39029.